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Hot steering column

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Old Jul 31, 2019 | 03:52 PM
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Default Hot steering column

I have a 71 coupe (454/4sp/AC). I have wrapped the exhaust pipes, added the shutoff to the hose going to the heater box, installed Dynamat, Reflectix and new carpet with jute backing - all in an effort to deal with the common problem of heat entering the cabin. After all of this, with moderate positive effects, I have noticed the steering column is extremely hot. Has anyone else noticed this issue and does anyone have a fix?
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Old Aug 1, 2019 | 01:30 AM
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A hot steering column is new to me.
Do you have all seals in place (e.g. inner and outer firewall seals at the column)?
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Old Aug 1, 2019 | 01:36 AM
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I just pulled apart a 74 and a 77 column and they both had a sponge rubber seal up in the main tube , about where the firewall would be , both were stuck to the tube. They would keep any hot air from travelling up into the cabin. Big job to check yours out though. !!
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Old Aug 1, 2019 | 02:49 AM
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Originally Posted by NH Mike
Has anyone else noticed this issue and does anyone have a fix?
Yes, and No.

I have a '70 BB w/ A/T and standard steering column (non T/T), and after a while of driving the part of the column that protrudes into the cabin gets quite warm too. Especially in the summer. Just as a spoon gets warm at the handle when you stick it into hot soup, throught heat conduction, the column will transfer quite a good amount of engine bay heat. It's a more or less solid piece of metal pipe after all.

.

Last edited by QuRace; Aug 1, 2019 at 03:06 AM.
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Old Aug 1, 2019 | 05:44 AM
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Do you have headers?
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Old Aug 1, 2019 | 07:07 AM
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Originally Posted by NH Mike
...common problem of heat entering the cabin.
It's all part of the attractive charm of the car. The first time a friend rode in mine, "This car is so visceral!". I never heard that from anyone getting in a Toyota...
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Old Aug 1, 2019 | 08:22 AM
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Many thanks to those who took the time to respond. I will check the firewall seals and see if that is the culprit. And no, it does not have headers.��
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Old Aug 1, 2019 | 09:42 PM
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I think bazza77 is on the right track. I had the same problem with my 70 Dodge. The Dart has 2 of those foam shaft seals and the inner one had disintegrated and fallen out. As a temporary repair I took a piece of 1/2 " water pipe insulation, cut it to the correct size and pushed it between the shaft and support tube from the outside. This stopped all the hot air from the engine bay from traveling up the tube and heating the interior column. In the mean time I have ordered all the new parts I need to rebuild the complete column this winter.
Jerry
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Old Aug 1, 2019 | 09:50 PM
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Thanks Jerry
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